Naked nuptials

The Hedonism III resort in Jamaica hosts an in-the-buff wedding for eight couples.

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February 9, 2001 1:25AM (UTC)

It won't be difficult to locate the wedding rings this Valentine's Day when eight couples tie the knot in the nude at Jamaica's Runaway Bay. This historic celebration, billed as the world's largest nude wedding, is being hosted by the racy Hedonism III resort -- famous for its four-story transparent water slide that cuts through the middle of a disco.

The Jamaican government, however, is not pleased with the marriage marketing scheme, calling it inappropriate and indecent. Portia Simpson Miller, minister of tourism and sport, released an official statement that said: "This type of activity is not in keeping with our marketing strategy for Jamaica." Miller told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, "It is not part of our policy to use public funds to pursue the particular niche market to which this event is targeted."

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The controversial group wedding has created discussions across Jamaica, and morning radio shows are filled with angry Christians voicing their disapproval. Some Caribbean-American clergymen even held a demonstration outside the New York office of the Jamaica Tourist Board. One of the biggest fears is that although Jamaica is already known among tourists as a great place for swinging couples and powerful ganja, the nation's image could be tarnished.

A spokesman for the Superclubs resort chain, which owns Hedonism III, insists that the ceremony will proceed as planned. He did not say whether the mass wedding will include a group honeymoon.

Jack Boulware

Jack Boulware is a writer in San Francisco and author of "San Francisco Bizarro" and "Sex American Style."